1981⚡ Event
Trans-en-Provence UFO sighting
A local farmer in Trans-en-Provence, France, reported a UFO sighting. This event is claimed to be perhaps the most completely and carefully documented sighting of all time.
exploration
What Happened in 1981?
Explore 20 historical moments from 1981 — 20 events, 0 birthdays, and 0 notable deaths.
Events in 1981(20)
1981⚡ Event
Hill Street Blues Pilot Episode Airs
The American serial police-procedural television show Hill Street Blues aired its pilot episode, "Hill Street Station".
entertainment
1981⚡ Event
First DMC DeLorean Production Car
The DeLorean Motor Company completed the first production car of the DMC DeLorean at its factory in Northern Ireland.
technology
1981⚡ Event
Reagan lifts oil price controls
U.S. president Ronald Reagan lifted price controls from petroleum products, contributing to the 1980s oil glut.
politicseconomics
1981⚡ Event
Rhodesian Bush War incident
Rhodesian Bush War: Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army cadres attacked Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army troops. This incident killed over 60 soldiers and started the 1981 Entumbane uprising.
war
1981⚡ Event
ZX81 Home Computer Launched
The ZX81, a pioneering British home computer, was launched by Sinclair Research. It went on to sell more than 1.5 million units worldwide.
technologyeconomics
1981⚡ Event
Attempted Assassination of Ronald Reagan
John Hinckley Jr. shot and wounded U.S. President Ronald Reagan and three others outside the Washington Hilton.
politicslaw
1981⚡ Event
Jaffna Library Burning
An organized mob of police and government-sponsored Sinhalese paramilitary forces began three days of attacks that led to the burning of the Jaffna Library in Sri Lanka.
politicswardisaster
1981⚡ Event
Osirak nuclear reactor attack
The Israeli Air Force attacked the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq, assuming it was being used to produce plutonium for a nuclear-weapons program.
warpolitics
1981⚡ Event
Shots Fired at Queen Elizabeth II
During the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Marcus Sarjeant fired six blank shots at Queen Elizabeth II as she rode down The Mall.
politicslaw
1981⚡ Event
First flight of F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, the first operational aircraft designed for stealth technology, made its maiden flight.
technologywarscience
1981⚡ Event
Donkey Kong Released
Nintendo released the arcade game Donkey Kong, which featured the debut of Mario, one of the most famous characters in video-game history.
technologyentertainment
1981⚡ Event
Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
An estimated 750 million people worldwide watched the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral in London.
entertainment
1981⚡ Event
Nestor Pirotte murders antiques dealer
On September 18, 1981, Belgian serial killer Nestor Pirotte murdered an antiques dealer in Brussels while posing as an aristocrat. He was subsequently sentenced to death for the crime.
law
1981⚡ Event
Sandra Day O'Connor Appointed to Supreme Court
Sandra Day O'Connor became the first female justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
politicslaw
1981⚡ Event
Iran breaks Iraqi siege of Abadan
Iran–Iraq War: Iran broke the Iraqi siege of Abadan by Operation Samen-ol-A'emeh.
war
1981⚡ Event
Luke and Laura wedding on General Hospital
About 30 million people watched the fictional wedding of Luke Spencer and Laura Webber on General Hospital on November 16, 1981. This achieved the highest rating in American soap opera history.
entertainment
1981⚡ Event
Conservative MPs oppose Thatcher's economic policy
A group of Conservative Members of Parliament wrote a letter outlining their opposition to Margaret Thatcher's economic policy. This led to speculation over a potential split from the party.
politicseconomics
1981⚡ Event
Mumia Abu-Jamal arrested for murder
Mumia Abu-Jamal was arrested for the murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner; his subsequent conviction and death sentence generated controversy in the United States.
lawpolitics
1981⚡ Event
Al-Dawa suicide bombing in Beirut
The Iraqi Shia Islamist group al-Dawa carried out one of the first modern suicide bombings, targeting the Iraqi embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. The attack resulted in 61 deaths and at least 100 injuries.
warpoliticsdisaster
Born in 1981(0)
No births recorded for 1981.
Deaths in 1981(0)
No deaths recorded for 1981.
Dates in 1981
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1981?
- 1981 saw 20 notable historical moments, including 20 events, 0 famous birthdays, and 0 notable deaths.
- What were the biggest events of 1981?
- Key events of 1981 include: Trans-en-Provence UFO sighting, Hill Street Blues Pilot Episode Airs, First DMC DeLorean Production Car.
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